OpCritical are back with a new track. Titled “USA” I heard the track yesterday late at night with the volume a bit higher than usual. I just wanted to see if it would hit the same way their last track did “Not Alone“. It kind of did but in a sharper way.
The band isn’t switching direction here. They’re still locked in on the same idea and themes: the United States and everything is happening around us right now. But this one sounds more urgent. Less buildup and more straight into it.
The mix is great and sound polished. You’ve got this steady vocal tone holding things together while the guitars push harder in the back. The bass doesn’t sit quietly either and the drums keep things moving in a smooth way. This band is professional and every member knows exactly where they need to be.
The lyrics are meaningful and direct and if you’re already paying attention to what’s going on in the country, it clicks fast. I didn’t need a second listen to get the message, but I went back anyway just to catch a few lines I missed. The melodies are strong and stay in your head. But not in an annoying way. More like you catch yourself replaying a small part while doing something. That doesn’t happen to me a lot with songs like this.
The production is clean. Maybe even a bit too polished at times, but it works with the band’s vision. You can tell they care about how everything lands not just what they’re saying. I didn’t think they would keep surprising me after the last release. But here we are again. I’m starting to trust whatever they decide to release next.
